Where those associated with Western films from around the world are laid to rest.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

RIP David Hess

Actor, singer, songwriter David Alexander Hess passed away over night on October 8, 2011 at his northern California home. He was 69. Hess started his career as a songwriter for Shalimar Music in 1957 under the alias David Hill. His biggest song writing hit was "Speedy Gonzales" which Pat Boone recorded and went to #6 in the U.S.A. in 1963. He then recorded two albums for Kapp Records. In 1969 he became the head of A&R at Mercury Records and co-wrote the Grammy award winning rock opera "The Naked Carmen" in 1970. In the ‘70s he turned to acting and became for his role in "Last House on the Left" (1972). Hess would reprise his role in Ruggero Deodato’s remake called "The House on the Edge of the Park" (1980). David appeared as the villain in Russ Craven’s "The Swamp Thing" (1982). He appeared in three Euro-westerns: "Montana Trap" (1976), "Buck at the Edge of Heaven" (1991) for which he also composed the music, and "Jonathan of the Bears" (1995). Hess was married to actress Karoline Mardeck who also appeared in "Buck at the Edge of Heaven". David leaves his wife Karoline and three children.

About Me

Born in Toledo, Ohio in 1946 I have a BA degree in American History from Cal St. Northridge. I've been researching the American West and western films since the early 1980s and visiting filming sites in Spain and the U.S.A. Elected a member of the Spaghetti Western Hall of Fame 2010.